By Keith Rylatt (217.137.89.40) on Saturday, June 28, 2003 - 04:12 am:

Can anyone help? In the current issue of Manifesto magazine there is a scan of Reverend George Morton - `This Is My Story` - Hi-Q 1335. But I wasn't aware that Hi-Q had any other series than the 5000. However, in Bob McGrath's R&B Indies, under Fortune Records a Gospel Series is listed and under 1335 The Rev, George James Morton appears with the same song. Note the slight difference in his name. Can anyone throw light on this? Was Bob mistaken and the 1000 Gospel sfuff was on Hi-Q? But why different credits? Thanks Keith

By acooolcat (61.58.180.143) on Saturday, June 28, 2003 - 08:14 am:

Keith.
A copy of this 45 was on ebay not too long ago - for quite a high price. It's a great R&B record.
I haven't seen the magazine article, but have an old copy of a US magazine called R.P.M. in which Ron Murphy did a discography - but excluded the gospel series. Sorry I can't help more.
Graham

By David Meikle (62.252.128.6) on Saturday, June 28, 2003 - 04:10 pm:

From Graham

By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.42) on Monday, June 30, 2003 - 09:59 am:

Hi Keith,

The Hi-Q label seems to have been revived in
the mid-sixties.

If you look at that scan Graham sent in you'll see
the catalogue number 915F-1335

The 915F part shows it's an RCA custom pressing
- RCA used a consistent system in which the
first three digits is their customer code followed
by a letter indicating the initial of the client company. 915F = Fortune.

The matrix (U4KM 3537) indicates it was mastered
/ released in '67.

The "1335" part of the catalog number looks as if
this Hi-Q release continues on from Fortune's
1300 series which was used for gospel releases.

I haven't done any throrough research on Fortune
in the mid-sixties but there are a batch of
Fortune RCA pressings which all seem to be from
'67 - I haven't seen anything later. Why did Devora Brown use the Hi-Q label for this release instead - no idea - it might be something as simple as using up a stock of unused Hi-Q label
blanks.

Davie

By Marc Forrest (145.243.194.67) on Monday, June 30, 2003 - 11:31 am:

Interesting question and answer by Davie Gordon and Graham. I also had the problem where to file the above record, as it defo fits nowhere in numberwise and I like my labels to be in order ;-)

So the RCA theory solves the problem for now. Flipside is btw a nice workout of the old "Wade In the Water" classic,which I seem to like more. Another great and slightly untypical Hi Q 45 is by Walter Hamilton "Nobody Burt Me". A great and again late 6t´s Soul record.

By Davie Gordon (193.122.21.26) on Monday, June 30, 2003 - 01:04 pm:

I've just noticed the credit to the Jones Sisters
for, presumably, vocal back up. I don't know
exactly how old they are but this just might be
a very early appearance by the Jones Girls who
definitely started out singing in church.


Davie

By Fury13 (209.69.165.10) on Monday, June 30, 2003 - 02:09 pm:

I believe the 1300 series on Fortune and Hi-Q were issued simultaneously. I have Fortune #1346 and it's a gospel record. There was also a Hi-Q series in single/double digits (up to #27, I think) that was a country/rockabilly series. Hi-Q was started around 1956 and the Browns continued to issue records on the label into the early '70s as I understand it.

Fortune was always a little cavalier about its record numbering; for example, there are three variations on #839 by Andre Williams, some matrix numbers were used more than once, and there were two #538s, one by the Earthquakes and the other by Dr. Ross. Other numbers (such as many early in the 800 series) were simply not used. I would say that Ron Murphy is the authority on the Fortune/Hi-Q/Strate-8 discography.

By MEL&THEN SOME (217.14.178.70) on Monday, June 30, 2003 - 02:47 pm:

Fury13 or anyone
I have Gene Coopers Go-Go inn on Hi-Q
Does anyone have any info regards
Gene?
cheers
mel